SHOP IN OUR GIFT STORES FOR THE HOLIDAYS

Looking for last-minute holiday gifts? Stop by our gift shops! The Niagara History Center’s Outwater Emporium and Erie Canal Discovery Center’s Lock, Stock and Barrel Gift Shop have a great assortment of gifts for everyone and in every price range.

Both shops carry books about Lockport, the Erie Canal and Niagara County history for adults and children. Reading is a favorite pastime once the snow flies, so make sure you’re ready with books that are sure to fill the wintry hours.

“Niagara Discoveries,” the new book by Ann Marie Linnabery, assistant director of the History Center, is a perfect gift for anyone interested in Niagara County history. Available for $24.95, “Niagara Discoveries” is a collection of 100 of Linnabery’s weekly columns in the Union-Sun & Journal from 2013-2015. Articles cover historical people, places and events from all over Niagara County, particularly the Lockport area.

The 3 DVD set“Downtown Lockport 1925 & 1940,” featuring historical footage, would also make great snow-day entertainment. It begins with rare footage of the 1925 Lockport “Old Home Week” parade. “Downtown Lockport’s” main feature is a specially filmed motion-picture look at the city and surroundings in 1940. Scenes include Lockport businesses and their employees, local churches and congregations, a trip up Transit Road to Olcott, and special events on the Erie Canal.

We also have wooden Lockport treasure boxes on sale, perfect for holding a small gift. These keepsake boxes will also find a special spot on shelves holding everything from trinkets to treasures.

Wooden toys are sturdy, inexpensive stocking stuffers for the kids on your list, and we have a variety of traditional ones that have been favorites of children going back centuries!

Both shops also carry a variety of calendars and books featuring the work of Lockport artist Joe Whalen. Whalen’s art captures Lockport scenes we all recognize.

Candles make perfect holiday gifts, and our shops carry hand-dipped, scented tapers made in the U.S.A. Bring the aroma of the Christmas season into someone’s house with these special candles.

We also have a large assortment of Cat’s Meow Collectibles, many on sale. And if you like Cat’s Meows, read on for big news!

The Niagara County Historical Society will issue a new Cat’s Meow in 2016 to honor the restoration work being done on Lockport’s historic “Flight of Five” locks. Although the new Meow will display the distinctive style of the Cat’s Meow designers, it will depict the double Flight as it was in the 1800s and will be based on surviving 19th century photos of the locks.

A drawing wasn’t available at press time, but we hope to have the completed new Meow available at both the History Center and the Erie Canal Discovery Center by Feb. 1.

Both locations will celebrate the new piece with a special sale on many Meows from previous years. With the exception of some extreme rarities, most Cat’s Meows will be on sale for $12 each, providing a perfect opportunity to complete (or start) a collection! Now underway, the sale will continue while supplies last and will be limited to stock on hand.

The History Center and Outwater Emporium are open Monday-Saturday, 9 a.m. – 5 p.m. Call 434-7433 for information.

The Discovery Center and Lock, Stock and Barrel Gift Shop are open every Friday and Saturday from 10 a.m. – 3 p.m. Call 439-0431.

You can also find many of our Gift Shop items on this web site under the “Shop” menu.